Kunskoors - "Night at the Opera & Beyond!"

A NIGHT AT THE OPERA AND BEYOND!

In Portugal gebore, tree Jose Dias gereeld in al Suid Afrika se groot konsertsale en kunsfeeste op. Hy het onlangs in verskeie Afrikalande en in Europa opgetree, onder meer in historiese konsetsale soos die Berliner Philharmonie, Munchner Philharmonie, Beethovenhalle in Bonn en vele ander. Hy word hoog aangesktyf as solis, kamerorkes musikant en vokale begeleier. Hy is gesog vir sy onderrig in klavier en sang, asook sy mentorskap en samewerking met baie vooraanstaande Suid Afrikaanse sangers.

Met vele toekennings agter haar naam, is Janelle Visagie veral bekend vir haar uitbeelding van die Moeder Abbess in Pieter Toerien and David Ian se internasionale toerproduksie van The Sound of Music. Sy het onder Prof. Virginia Davids van die South African College of Music (UCT) studeer en het haar LTCL met lof van Trinity College in London ontvang. In 2023 behaal sy 'n BMus honneursgraad cum laude van die Universiteit van Stellenbosh en sy is tans ingeskryf vir 'n meestersgraad met spesialisgebied vokale uitvoering onder toesig van Minette du Toit-Pearce en Jose Dias. Verlede jaar het Janelle en Jose hul lankverwagte album van S le Roux Marais se ikoniese Afrikaanse kunsliedere - Pionier - opgeneem. Dit word later vanjaar vrygestel.

Lesego Mkhwanazi is i Mabopane, Pretoria gebor en sy liefde vir opera klassieke musiek het hom na die Weskaap gelei om sy klassieke onderrig by UCT School of Music onder toesig van Patric Tikolo en Khamal Khan te voltooi. Die Black-Tie Ensemble in Pretoria het die deur tot opera vir Lesego oopgemaak in 2013, toe hy ingeskryf het vir hul Incubator Programme. Hy het as deel van die program en in die opeenvolgende jare in Kaapstad menigmale sy bydrae as solis en koorlid in verskeie opvoerings gemaak. Lesego het sy PCGE by die Nelson Mandela Universiteit in Port Elizabeth voltooi, met musiek e kreatiewe kunste as hoofvakke.

Portugese - born pianist, Jose Dias is a regular presence in all major concert halls and arts festivals in South Africa. Recent performances have taken him to various counties in Africa and Europa, with appearances in such historic halls as the Berliner Philharmonie, Munchner Philharmonie, Beethovenhalle in Bonn, among others. He is in high demand as soloist, chamber musician and vocal accompanist. Jose is a sought-after piano teacher and a vocal coach mentoring and collaborating with many of the lading South Africa singers.

Award-winning soprano Janelle Visagie is best known for her portrayal of Mother Abbess in Pieter toerien and Dvid Ian's international touring production of The Sound of Music. She studied with Prof. Virginia Davids from the South African College of Music (UCT), under whom she obtained her Licentiate in Performance (LTCL) with honours from Trinity College London. In 2023 she obtained her BMus Honours Cum Laude froom Stellenbosh University, and she is currently enrolled for her Master's degree specializing in Vocal Performance, under the supervision of Minette du Toit- Pearce and Jose Dias.

Last year, Jose Dias and Jenelle recorded their much-anticipated album of S leRoux Marais' iconic Afrikaanse art songs - Pionier. It is now in post-production and will be released later this year.

Hailing from Mabopane, Pretoria, Lesego Mkhwanazi's love od Opera and Classical music led him to the Western Cape to complete his classical training at the UCT School of Music under the auspices of Patrick Tikolo and Khamal Khan. Tha Black-Tie Ensemble in Pretoria opened the door to Opera for Lesego in 2013, when he enrolled for their incubator Programme. During that time and in the years that followed in Cape Town, lesego made solid contributions as soloist and chorus member on various productions. Lesego completed his Post Graduate Certificate in Education at Nelson Mandella University in Port Elizabeth, majoring in music and creative arts.